Courtney Alexander

Your art is BEAUTIFUL!! As a lover of tarot decks, I am so excited about Dust II Onyx. We need more decks created by and with images of melanated people! So thank you for bringing this forth. Where did the inspiration come from to create the deck?

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For the past several months I’ve had the desire to create a deck. I had been using tarot for about a year or so and it was mostly through apps or going to readers. I saw some interesting decks but none of them ever really spoke to me in the way I needed them too. The only deck I have that I feel I have a strong relationship with is the Aquarian Tarot deck. I find it’s style beautiful, simple and intuitive while being great for a beginner. However, I still wanted more. The kind of deck that made me feel this sort of infinite bond. That spoke to my purest self. A deck energy that felt kindred.

I did begin by looking for decks with melanated folks, especially of African descent. But most of those decks were not created by US. So although I appreciated the imagery and homage to the culture, it felt like a very studied and anthropological experience. Like someone just learned about black history or culture and created a deck based on their knowledge, but not the soul connection and experience. Then there were those decks that felt like they were created to tap into a neglected market, so it didn’t feel like there was a connection to the artwork outside of simply depicting a person of color.

So Dust II Onyx began to stir in me. For several months I’d try and sketch, draw, and plan imagery but that never worked. I wasn’t able to see the deck. Then life hit me. I lost my job, spiraled into this state of anxiety and depression. I was overwhelmed. I had just graduated in December 2015, ended a stressful relationship In January, worked temp jobs before landing on the one I had at the time and was let go a few months later. So I was going through it. Then on top of that I had a local art show I was a part of by another phenomenal black female artist, Princess Smith. I had 2 weeks to create the work and so I put my anxieties and fears aside. In 2 weeks I finished 18 majors. I put my all into bringing the artwork forth through intuition and they emerged as what you see now.

Did you have any previous experience working with tarot cards before you began creating Dust II Onyx.

My experience before this point was limited to having tarot readers and using apps. I struggled a bit in my studies because of the lack of connection that I mentioned before. I understood the imagery and what each card meant. But on an intuitive level I felt like I could not tap into myself. (Part of it being my hyper-active Virgo mind). I was stuck on card meaning and what the books said. Creating the artwork for Dust II Onyx has definitely broadened my understanding of tarot. It’s been such a spiritual awakening for me. So now when I read with my current decks I notice a difference in my ability to connect and receive the information I need too. I’m so excited about reading with my own deck and what that experience will be. Because that imagery comes from within, I don’t need a reference or a system to validate my intuitive voice.

I’ve heard of people receiving dreams for tarot decks/ oracle cards where the images just came to them.

What is your process for creating the cards?

Well, my entire experience for Dust II Onyx has been a series of dreams. The day before I lost my job I had a dream where I saw a shadow figure of what I read as my 6 y/o nephew standing in front of me. When I went to turn on a light I felt a jolt in my belly that woke me up screaming. It scared me a lot and when I went to work that day I had barely slept. The sensation was with me and I was afraid “something” hurt me. That evening I received a call, and when I returned it the next morning I was told not to come in. When I went home to visit family that weekend, my nephew was there. We ended up having this moment where we were in the kitchen swinging and dancing. Then he laid his head on my belly where I felt that jolt in my dream. He turned his face towards mine and it was the most beautiful and blissful look I had ever seen. My mom went to grab the camera but he snapped out of it. I believe looking back that it was a conception or a sign of it.

While I was struggling with the anxiety surrounding my situation and what to do with my life I had another dream. In it there was an ugly tractor-trailer accident. There were bodies on the ground mangled and bloody, with blood streaks leading from the turned over trailer. I still remember seeing what looked like a kid’s shoe. I couldn’t walk by it. Then when I looked to my right there was a path to the sky and at the end of it was a bright light. But the people there weren’t going to it, it was for me. I still was hesitant because I struggled with fear of death and the idea of walking that path made me fear I was choosing death. In a sense I was because for this work to come forth I have to die to all I thought I was and knew. So the next morning after thinking about the dream I went out to my mother’s mango tree and I put my fears aside to walk into that light.

After that I ended up having 2 dreams where I saw these black portraits. They were beautiful. Matte black backgrounds with portraits painting in high gloss black paint. The clothing and other details were these beautiful rich jewel tones. So when I returned home to work on the art. I used that imagery as my inspiration. It was actually in line with a previous painting I had done in red. So once I saw the images emerge it all connected for me. I didn’t have to think or plan. Just follow my hand.

Do you have any tarot decks/ oracle cards that you work with and/or are a fan of?

I currently own the Aquarian Tarot, Crystal Tarot, traditional Rider-Waite, Angel Cards, and the Isis Oracle. My main go to is the Aquarian. It has a very deep moon vibe. I go to it when dealing with inner work. It definitely has been nice in regards to connecting with my higher self and deciphering the many cryptic messages I receive. The RW deck is mainly used when I read for others or am looking for more mundane answers. I also like to pair them with Angel Cards. They are single word cards so it helps give clarity to my spreads, especially as a novice. I recently stopped doing it that way. Spirit told me it is no longer necessary. J But I still like to pull them every now and then since they have a nice uplifting energy.

I recently purchased the Isis Oracle and it is beautiful artistically and in regards to the message. Of course I believe the Egyptian imagery is white-washed. The artist and writer are not of African descent that I know of. But I still appreciate the quality of the work and its message. It has come into my life at the right time. I had a sudden urge to purchase a deck and once the weekend came (after going to 2 stores days before) I went to the store I originally intended too. It was right there as soon as I opened the cabinet. It’s definitely for soul work and at this phase in my life that is the guidance I needed to finally own my divine power. I am God because God is all. So I no longer fear walking in that power. It has guided me towards that truth. I was afraid to say that for a long time.

What is your vision or intention for Dust II Onyx? What is your purpose for bringing this deck into the world?

My vision for Dust II Onyx is to witness it pull people all over the world out of their deserts. Many of us have been spiritual zombies a long time. Some want to break free of their shackles but they don’t know how or where to go. Especially with “new age” being seen as a very white-centered space. Then on the other end Afrocentric spiritual circle having their own set of standards and conventions that may still not jive with some of us.

That’s who I was. I came out of a Christian tradition and found I didn’t feel completely welcomed into the New Age world. I realized that there was nothing really new about the "new age". So what did I have to do? Learn where this all came from and it came from us. But fear of Afro-mysticism and this idea that it’s dark kept me confined for awhile. So through art, even before now, I confronted that discomfort so I could fully accept myself. It was already coming through my work anyway. The energy was already within me I just needed to embrace it. But I didn’t want to go from one system to another. So I chose to be free.

Dust II Onyx is my way of showing reverence to all parts of the black diaspora. There is no particular way of being black. There are no gender roles or spiritual molds placed on the imagery; aside from maintaining the energy of each card based on the RW system. So no matter where you are in your journey, Dust II Onyx will connect with you. It will meet you where you are, then take you much deeper.

Who is the Dust II Onyx deck for?

Dust II Onyx is truly for everyone who feels a connection to it/ You don’t have to

be a specific type of person to connect with this deck, nor are you meant to be.

The power is in having a deck that shows melanated people as universal power.

We are so often depicted in very specific boxes. So I appreciate the imagery

that has emerged for truly embodying the idea that we all come from the same

source. That source looks like me and my people. I have a new image to align

with now because for so long there was a default that did not feel true to me.

Do you have any favorite cards from the Dust II Onyx deck?

If so, which ones and why?

For awhile it was Empress and the Hermit. Empress is my birth card and is definitely a strong energy I carry. The Hermit challenges me and I know his energy perfects me. As I’ve mentioned in a previous article, the Empress is to the High Priestess what the Fool is to the Hermit. It is the evolution into balance and wisdom that can only come with experience.

Another card I now find myself in love with is Justice and the Tower. Justice has a sort of energy I didn’t expect it too. Looking at it initially it is almost clown or jester like. Which reminds me a bit of Elegua. The trickster, the one who sits at the crossroads, the one who brings balance and justice. The owl is also a symbol of Justice and wisdom. Each side of the scale has an eye looking up and beyond while Justice itself pierces you with its stare. Justice knows and sees all. So there is no hiding from its energy.

Do you have any tarot decks/ oracle cards that you work with and/or are a fan of?

I currently own the Aquarian Tarot, Crystal Tarot, traditional Rider-Waite, Angel Cards, and the Isis Oracle. My main go to is the Aquarian. It has a very deep moon vibe. I go to it when dealing with inner work. It definitely has been nice in regards to connecting with my higher self and deciphering the many cryptic messages I receive. The RW deck is mainly used when I read for others or am looking for more mundane answers. I also like to pair them with Angel Cards. They are single word cards so it helps give clarity to my spreads, especially as a novice. I recently stopped doing it that way. Spirit told me it is no longer necessary. J But I still like to pull them every now and then since they have a nice uplifting energy.

I recently purchased the Isis Oracle and it is beautiful artistically and in regards to the message. Of course I believe the Egyptian imagery is white-washed. The artist and writer are not of African descent that I know of. But I still appreciate the quality of the work and its message. It has come into my life at the right time. I had a sudden urge to purchase a deck and once the weekend came (after going to 2 stores days before) I went to the store I originally intended too. It was right there as soon as I opened the cabinet. It’s definitely for soul work and at this phase in my life that is the guidance I needed to finally own my divine power. I am God because God is all. So I no longer fear walking in that power. It has guided me towards that truth. I was afraid to say that for a long time.

What is your vision or intention for Dust II Onyx? What is your purpose for bringing this deck into the world?

My vision for Dust II Onyx is to witness it pull people all over the world out of their deserts. Many of us have been spiritual zombies a long time. Some want to break free of their shackles but they don’t know how or where to go. Especially with “new age” being seen as a very white-centered space. Then on the other end Afrocentric spiritual circle having their own set of standards and conventions that may still not jive with some of us.

That’s who I was. I came out of a Christian tradition and found I didn’t feel completely welcomed into the New Age world. I realized that there was nothing really new about the "new age". So what did I have to do? Learn where this all came from and it came from us. But fear of Afro-mysticism and this idea that it’s dark kept me confined for awhile. So through art, even before now, I confronted that discomfort so I could fully accept myself. It was already coming through my work anyway. The energy was already within me I just needed to embrace it. But I didn’t want to go from one system to another. So I chose to be free.

Dust II Onyx is my way of showing reverence to all parts of the black diaspora. There is no particular way of being black. There are no gender roles or spiritual molds placed on the imagery; aside from maintaining the energy of each card based on the RW system. So no matter where you are in your journey, Dust II Onyx will connect with you. It will meet you where you are, then take you much deeper.

The Tower was a difficult card for me at one point and it came up a lot in my personal readings. I was inspired by the Egungun masquerades honoring Oya. Her energy is very destructive yet transformative. So once I let go I began to piece together from what I had. It was a bit difficult initially since I had to break my mind out of the iamge looking exactly like a masquerade costume. What emerged was very chaotic and intense just as the tower is. There are a pair of hands seemingly holding on to each other. The soft fabric texture at the bottom show the lack of firm foundation that accelerates the crumble. And the head seems to be falling with the rest, but can also be read as a want that has brought destruction from the divine. There are so many layers to this card that I could go on about, which makes it a new favorite as well.

I’m also in love with how the minors are emerging. I recently shared the Ace, 2 and 3 of cups. I was inspired by this idea of us being stardust. A line for Joni Mitchell’s song Woodstock summed it up perfectly "We are stardust, we are golden, we are billion-year-old carbon, and we got to get ourselves back to the garden." I wanted to maintain the same materiality of the majors while bringing something different and special to the minors. So I began working with less paper element and more layering of paints and materials like

sand, glitter and different paint mediums.

For those of us who can’t wait to get our hands on Dust II Onyx, when should we expect the release and where do we buy them!

You may pre-order your deck through http://www.dust2onyx.com/extendedpreorder until October 28! It is an extended pre-order I’m hosting through my main website. I made my funding goal and then some, but many of you found me late so I wanted to give you the opportunity to pledge.

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The goal we met will cover the first edition prints which include the cost of high quality giclee (zhee-CLAY) scanning process for high resolution images that maintain the quality of texture in the original collage work. Shipping, fulfillment, and copyrighting costs have also been factored into this budget. I can’t do this alone so to make this deck a reality I needed the monetary support. Everything else has fallen into place so once the funds are cleared that’s it! The deck is brought into reality and we go up from there.

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The first edition will have 1000 signed and numbered copies available through Kickstarter and mailed out no later than May 2017. I gave myself a generous timeline to account for any possible setbacks, but as long as my production date stays on schedule you will more than likely receive your decks much earlier. Any decks left over after fulfilling orders from backers will be sold on my site or from a reseller. No matter where you get it from, the first edition will have my signature. However, any decks purchased through Kickstarter will have a personalized message as well. From there a second edition will be printed and sold through various shops who have contacted me as well as my own site.

Y'all don’t understand the plans I have to make this deck amazing as well as the guidebook. Believe me, it will definitely be a treat for collectors and readers alike. Courtney Alicia Alexander plays no games when it comes to her name and anything attached to it. So it is worth every penny invested. Best of all it is a collaborative effort on the part of every backer, writers, interviewers, and influencers who have all helped me bring this forth. I love and have the utmost gratitude for every contribution.

In addition to the Dust II Onyx deck, are there any other projects you are working on that we should look out for?

My next goal is to bring a solo exhibition to life that has been stirring in me. Without giving away too much, I want to create a space that shows reverence for black women of all backgrounds including drug addicts, doctors, little girls, older women. Just a space of complete beauty and the telling of all of our stories. Because we all matter. We are just on our own individual journeys and I want to use my art to uplift us, promote sisterhood, and demonstrate the power and beauty that we are. Bringing this to the contemporary art world is very important since it has definitely been a space mostly barred from such expression, but now the avenues have been opened. So I am going to play my part in keeping it going.